Radio Free Cybertron 902 reviews Transformers One, and the crew calls it the best Transformers movie in years despite a soft opening weekend. Chris praises its pacing, humor and vibrant Cybertron but finds Bumblebee overdone. In the news, Rathalos Prime gets its first look, the first permanent standalone Transformers store heads to London, and Super7 boxes Soundwave in a VHS case. Don warns fans not to fight over Hasbro’s licensing push, then Transformers Meltz and Energon pre-workout put that to the test. In What We Got This Week, Diecast unpacks a giant Transformers One promo box and Brian regrets opening Agent Knight.

Elf on a Shelfwarmer and the 25th Anniversary

RFC celebrates its 25th anniversary on October 17, the date Brian posted the first episode in 1999. Instead of a special show, the crew is kicking off Elf on a Shelfwarmer early. Brian asks listeners to buy shelfwarming toys and drop them in donation boxes for kids. Don suggested a landing page with drop-off locations and good sales. RFC takes no referral money from the drive.

News

NYCC 2024 Hasbro Panel Promises Studio Series Reveals

Hasbro’s New York Comic Con panel info promises Studio Series reveals. Brian suspects the big 2025 project will appear, possibly the Devastator Hasbro teased for its follow-up stream. The crew speculates about a Studio Series 86 Megatron. [Source: TFW2005]

First Look at the Monster Hunter Crossover, Liolaeus Prime

Rob reads the first look at the Monster Hunter crossover, which players know as Rathalos Prime. Rathalos is the series’ flagship monster, a large red fire-breathing dragon. Rob has heard it uses the Kingdom Airazor mold, and the crew can see it in the feet. The robot mode appears based on the Rathalos armor set players craft in the game. The crew expects a wide Japanese release. [Source: TFW2005]

The First Permanent Standalone Transformers Store Is Coming to London

The world’s first permanent, standalone Transformers store is coming to London. Brian thinks the qualifiers are a reach. The store will carry licensed Transformers product and an exclusive cover of Skybound’s Transformers comic. One host doubts it will succeed, but another notes Transformers are hard to find in the UK. [Source: TFW2005]

Transformers One Home Video Pre-Orders Open After a Second-Place Opening

Transformers One physical and digital releases are already up for pre-order, with no release date yet. The movie opened in second place with just under $25 million, below projections. Rob has seen people outside fan circles call it excellent and say its marketing team should be fired. Don, no fan of Transformers movies, agrees on both counts. [Source: TFW2005] [Source: The Hollywood Reporter]

Transformers DLC Comes to Minecraft Bedrock Edition

Transformers downloadable content is coming to Minecraft Bedrock Edition, the cross-play console version of the game. One host explains that Bedrock sells DLC packs rather than relying on mods. The trailer suggests players may actually be able to transform. [Source: TFW2005]

Hasbro Pulse Sells Lower-Cost Yolopark AMK Pro Optimus Prime and Megatron

Hasbro Pulse offered versions of the Yolopark AMK Pro Optimus Prime and Megatron without die-cast parts or lights. The pair sold for $60 to $70 and sold out. One host already owns the die-cast versions but says these would suit a work desk. [Source: TFW2005]

Super7 Puts Deluxe Soundwave in a VHS Box

Super7’s deluxe Soundwave is its Ultimates figure minus the accessories, at $15 less, in a vintage VHS-style box. One host calls it a crap toy in an amazing box. Another sees a trend of stripped-down Super7 releases for not much less money. [Source: TFW2005]

Tecno Mobile Releases Optimus Prime and Bumblebee Phones

Chinese smartphone maker Tecno Mobile released Optimus Prime and Bumblebee styled phones. The crew finds them generic and would rather just buy a Transformers phone case. [Source: TFW2005]

Hasbro’s Licensing Push

Don expects a flood of Hasbro licensing as the company works to recover from posted losses. He asks collectors to remember most of it isn’t meant for them and to skip the social media complaints. The crew agrees: let people like what they like.

Culturefly Announces Transformers Meltz

Transformers Meltz are designer vinyl figures shaped like partially melted ice cream bars, with the melted part acting as a stand. One host wonders who would buy them. Another notes designer vinyl is outside his wheelhouse. The crew agrees people want affordable ways to share their passion. [Source: TFW2005]

Core Nutritionals Launches Transformers Energon Pre-Workout

Core Nutritionals is selling Energon, a Transformers pre-workout powder, for $55 a tub with a sticker inside. One host says it shows Hasbro will license to anyone. Another would try it, but not for $55. [Source: Stack3d]

What We Got This Week

Diecast

Diecast got another pair of officially licensed Transformers earbuds from Temu, this time with a metal case. He picked up Geocron, the Rock Lord-style motorcycle, and Legacy Animated Motormaster, who reminds him of a lumberjack. He also grabbed EarthSpark Jawbreaker for about $14 and Straxus, whose box mirrors the Marvel comics. Hasbro and Paramount sent a Transformers One promotional pack for RFC Reviews. It included an Optimus Prime plush, the novelization, Prime Changers Optimus Prime, Alpha Trion and Quintesson High Commander, and Studio Series Optimus Prime and Megatron. Flip Changers, Robot Battlers and Mega Changers rounded it out.

Don

Don got Legacy Animated Motormaster and the Galvatron repaint, mostly for its Energon Galvatron colors. At Walmart he picked up Cannonball, the first figures from that wave he has seen.

Rob

Rob grabbed EarthSpark Prowl for about $13 during an Amazon sale. He loved its simple telescoping legs but wishes the flame effects stored more securely in vehicle mode.

Chris

Chris’s only Transformers purchase this week was a ticket to Transformers One.

Brian

Brian got Legacy Animated Motormaster, the leader Buzzsaw set with Soundwave and Legacy Titan Tidal Wave, all still boxed. He opened Agent Knight and hates it. The transformation is grossly simplistic for the price, and the hood flap is held only by friction. It is going back in the box.

Transformers One Review

Brian calls Transformers One the best Transformers movie he has ever seen, an A-plus when graded on a curve. He thinks it is a great movie for the whole family. Chris laughed genuinely at the humor, but found Bumblebee’s wise-guy shtick vastly overdone. He praised the snappy pacing and the most alive version of Cybertron he can remember, especially Iacon. The Quintessons felt like generic aliens to him.

Chris thinks D-16’s voice worked better than the transition into Megatron. One host heard Thor in Chris Hemsworth’s Orion Pax, while Chris noticed it only when he stopped to think. Chris says the movie stays safe and formulaic, but does it well. One host calls it the best version of the Optimus Prime and Megatron friendship story. Another ranks it level with The Transformers: The Movie, behind only Bumblebee. One host texted Brian that it beats all the Bay movies combined. The crew notes a mid-credits scene and a post-credits scene, and urges listeners to take their kids.

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